ObjectiveTo observe the effects of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on vessel endothelial cells proliferation and microvessel formation in vitro.MethodsBMSCs and brain vessel endothelial cells were separated from adult and divided into co-culture group of BMSCs and endothelial cells, medium group of BMSCs, comparison group. Endothelial cells proliferation and microvessel formation were observed. ResultsEndothelial cells were promoted to proliferate and formate the microvessel in medium group and co-culture group. And the effect was prominence in co-culture group.ConclusionBMSCs can promote the proliferation and microvessel formation of endothelial cells.

To study the chemical constituents from the bark of Myrica rubra, fourteen compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of chemical properties and spectroscopic data, as 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxymyricanol (1), myricanol (2), myricanone (3), myricanol 11-sulfate (4), myricitrin (5), quercetin (6), quercetin-3-rhamnoside (7), tamarixol (8), uvaol (9), ursolic acid (10), taraxerol (11), myricadiol (12), β-sitosterol (13) and β-daucosterol (14). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, named as 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxymyricanol, compounds 8, 9 were isolated from the genus Myrica for the first time.
Diarylheptanoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Myrica ; chemistry ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Bark ; chemistry

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of A-V, V-V delay optimization on cardiac function and clinical improvement in patients with refractory heart failure underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

METHODThirty-two patients with chronic heart failure received CRT and cardiac function was measured at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months post CRT before and after A-V and V-V delay optimizations.

RESULTSA-V delay optimization was initiated in 28, 10 and 6 cases at 7th day, 3rd month and 6th month after CRT. V-V delay optimization was performed in 29, 6 and 5 cases at 7th day, 3rd month and 6th month after CRT. Ts-SD, LVEF, VTI and E/Em were significantly improved after CRT compared to pre-CRT (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05; respectively). Compared to pre-optimization, the indexes of ventricular synchronization were significantly improved (P < 0.05) while indexes of cardiac function remained unchanged post optimization at 7th day after CRT. The indexes of ventricular synchronization post optimization were similar at 7th, 3rd and 6th months after CRT (P > 0.05). LVEF and diastolic filling time were significantly increased after 6 months CRT post A-V, V-V delay optimization (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONA-V, V-V delay optimization at 7th day after CRT can significantly improve ventricular synchronization and is associated with further improved cardiac function 6 months after CRT.

Aged ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Chronic Disease ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Heart Failure ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the coping strategies of the community-based population in Shenzhen.

METHODSTotally 5,940 subjects from the communities in Shenzhen were sampled and tested with the Simplified Coping Style questionnaire.

RESULTSThe most common coping strategies adopted by the community residents in Shenzhen were "consoling themselves" (33.1%) and "looking at the bright side of things" (31.4%), and the least adopted coping strategy was "relieving distress by smoking, drinking, taking medicine and eating" (57.8%); the strategies left out from their choices were mostly negative strategies. The scores for positive coping strategy factors of community residents in Shenzhen were greater than those of negative ones, with a mean difference of 0.43. The scores of both positive and negative coping strategy factors of these residents were significantly lower than those of general population in other mainland cities (P<0.001), with mean differences of 0.12 and 0.36, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe community residents in Shenzhen adopt mostly positive strategies for coping with frustration, which benefit their status of self-rated health.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Emotions ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Residence Characteristics ; Self Care ; methods ; psychology ; Social Support ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo observe the thoracic aorta features in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with echocardiography.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the echocardiographic features and clinical manifestations in 273 patients with BAV detected from 1991-04 to 2006-02.

RESULTS(1) Aortic dimensions of the anulus, the sinuses of valsalva, the sinotubular junction, the ascending aorta at the level of its largest diameter of 31 patients with functionally normal BAV were significantly increased compared that in control subjects (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) while the dimension of the descending aorta posterior to the left atrium was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). (2) There is no relation between the vulval positions of BAV and aortic dimensions (P > 0.05). (3) The dimensions of the annulus as well as the sinuses of valsalva were negatively related to the aortic valve gradient, and the dimension of the annulus, the sinuses of valsalva and sinotubular junction were positively related to the degree of aortic regurgitation in 273 patients with BAV (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur results show there is a hemodynamic independent thoracic aortic dilation in patients with functionally normal BAV. Gradient and aortic regurgitation are related to the dimension of the annulus, the sinuses of valsalva and sinotubular junction in patients with BAV.

Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortic Valve ; abnormalities ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

Objective To evaluate the imaging methods,characteristics,diagnostic value of multi- slice CT urography(MSCTU)in congenital abnormities of urinary system.Methods To collect 33 urinary congenital abnormities cases in three years and to analyses these MSCTU images.All examinations were performed with a multi-slice spiral CT scanner.The patients were intravenously injected with 90 ml of Iohexol 300 with a power injector at the rate of 3 ml/s.Nephrographic-phase images were obtained at 75 s after initiation of the injection of contrast material,the appropriate delay time is according to Kidney's enhancement extent and nephrohydrosis degree.Excretory-phase images were obtained through the abdomen and pelvis from 10 min.to 23 h after initiation of the injection of contrast material without abdominal compression.Excretory-phase images were transferred to the workstation and performed maximun intensity projection(MIP),multiplanar reconstruction(MPR),volume rendering(VR),and virtual cystoscopy (VC).Results The urinary congenital abnormities diagnosed by MSCTU in 33 cases,including 1 ectopic kidney,1 horseshoe kidney,1 renal malrotaion,2 supernumerary kidneys,2 ureteral valves,2 retrocaval ureters,4 congenital megaureters,6 ureteropelvic junction stenosis,9 pelviureteric duplication malformations and 5 bladder diverticula.The displaying rate of ureter was 91%(61/66).The scanning time of excretory-phase was less than 20 seconds in All cases.The average CT value of contrast media in displayed ureter lumens was 520 HU.The postprocessing images had clear,dimensional feature and It was satisfy the diagnosis.Conclusion MSCTU has clear,dimensional feature and has strong ability of displaying total anatomy shape and tiny pathology change of congenital abnormities in the urinary system.It is a very useful method for detecting the congenital abnormities in the urinary system.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the association between hypertension and tobacco exposure Luoping county of Yunnan province and estimate the direct cost attributable to hypertension .

METHODSUsing Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling method, 5000 rural residents aged over 18 years were selected from 12 townships in Luoping county, Yunnan province in April 2011, from which 4611 subjects completed the survey. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect general information, smoking status, costs for outpatient consultation, inpatient, treatment, medication, travel, accommodation and extra-nutrition caused by hypertension as well as the information of health-related behavior. Their height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. The direct economic burden of hypertension was calculated. Chi-square (χ(2)) test was used to compare gender differences of hypertension prevalence, smoking and passive smoking. And t test was used to compare the differences of direct economic burden of hypertension among different gender, smoking and passive smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the influence factors of hypertension.

RESULTSAmong the 4611 subjects, the age was (46.90 ± 16.74) years old. Male accounted for 49.8% (2294/4611) and female 50.2% (2317/4611) . The smoking rate was higher in males (75.7% (1736/2294)) than in females(1.6% (38/2317)) (χ(2) = 2669.21, P < 0.01). The passive smoking rate was lower in males (10.0% (230/2294)) than in females (46.2% (1070/2317)) (χ(2) = 744.27, P < 0.05). Non-tobacco exposure rate in males (14.3% (328/1537)) was lower than in females (52.2% (1209/1537)) (χ(2) = 744.37, P < 0.05) . The risk of hypertension in smokers and passive smokers were higher than those without tobacco exposure, OR (95%CI) was 1.41 (1.15-1.71) (P < 0.05) and 1.31 (1.07-1.63) (P < 0.05) respectively. The per capita direct cost of hypertension was (3444.09 ± 3067.83) Yuan. Of this, tobacco exposure (4552.46 ± 3189.05) Yuan was higher than non-tobacco exposure (1907.71 ± 1383.94) Yuan (t = -3.81, P < 0.05) . Moreover, smokers were (6951.71 ± 3422.87) Yuan higher than passive smokers (3128.09 ± 2083.17) Yuan (t = 3.19, P < 0.05) and males (5827.39 ± 3240.50) Yuan were higher than females (2633.03 ± 2569.01) Yuan (t = 3.22, P < 0.05) . The total direct costs of hypertension attributable to smoking and SHS was 41 million and 38 million, respectively.

CONCLUSIONBoth smoking and SHS had significant impact on prevalence and economic burden of hypertension in Luoping county. Implementing effective strategies to control tobacco exposure is useful to reduce the economic burden of hypertension in the study region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; economics ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; economics ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of PC4 and SFRS1 interacting protein 1 (PSIP1) on invasion and migration of human glioma U87 cells.

METHODSChemically synthesized siRNA targeting PSIP1 gene was transfected into U87 cells via lipofectamine, and the gene silencing effect was determined using real-time PCR. The changes in the invasion and migration abilities of the transfected cells were assessed with Transwell assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of N-cadherin, β-catenin and the transcription factor Slug.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein level of PSIP1 was significantly reduced in U87 cells after transfection with PSIP1 siRNA (P<0.0001). PSIP1 knockdown in U87 cells resulted in significant suppression of cell invasion and migration abilities (P<0.01) and also reduced N-cadherin, β-catenin and Slug expressions.

CONCLUSIONs Silencing of PSIP1 impairs the invasion and migration abilities of glioma cells and lowers the expressions of N-cadherin, β-catenin and Slug, suggesting that PSIP1 may regulate Slug by classical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to modulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promote the invasion and migration of glioma cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Glioma ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a rural adult population of Hunan province.

METHODS1953 residents (older than 18 years) from the same village were randomly selected, using a stratified, multistage sampling method. All residents were interviewed and tested for albuminuria with morning spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio (abnormal: >/= 30 mg/g), reduced renal function with estimated glomerular filtration rate by modified MDRD equation [abnormal: < 60 ml/min (1.73 m(2))]. The associations of kidney damage indicators with demographic characteristics (age, gender, smoking status), indicators on health (diabetes, hypertension) and metabolic syndrome traits were examined.

RESULTSEligible data of 1709 subjects were enrolled in the study. After the adjustment of age, gender and other metabolic syndrome traits, participants with metabolic syndrome had a higher prevalence of CKD (19.3% vs. 13.2%, P < 0.001) than those without the syndrome. As the number of metabolic syndrome traits increased, so did the prevalence of CKD. There seemed to be a strong and independent association between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease. For participants without hypertension and diabetes, metabolic syndrome was also associated with CKD (OR value 1.733, 95%CI: 1.20 - 2.41, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONIn these 1709 adults under this study from a village of southern China, metabolic syndrome seemed to be associated with CKD.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population